Sofa bed



June 1963 w. c. ROGERS, JR

SOFA BED 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 23, 1966 FIGZ INVENTOR WALTER CLARK ROGERS, JR

BY Q 594 A- Mafia,

ATTORNEYS June 25, 1968 w, c, R JR 3,389,409

SOFA BED Filed Nov. 23, 1966 3 Sheets-Sh et 2 INVENTOR WALTER CLARK ROGERS ,JR.

ATTORNEYS June 25, 1968 Filed Nov. 23, 1966 W. C. ROGERS, JR

SOFA BED 5 Sheets-Sheet r5 WALTER CLARK ROGERS JR.

BY 50mm 1 ATTORNEY United States Patent M 3,389,409 SOFA BED Walter C. Rogers, Jr., High Point, N.C., assignor to Royal Development Company, Inc., High Point, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed Nov. 23, 1966, Ser. No. 596,651 28 Claims. (Cl. -17) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a sofa bed having two mattress sections which are movable between overlying, fully retracted positions for use as a sofa, and extended side by side positions for use as a bed; a linkage system which mounts the mattress sections relative to the sofa bed frame such that the mattress sections swing together in generally overlying relationship into or out of their fully retracted positions at an angle to the horizontal.

The present invention relates to sofa beds of the type which have two mattress sections which in converting between bed and sofa positions are moved between a retracted position wherein the mattress sections are in overlying relationship and an extended position wherein the mattress sections are in generally coplanar relationship with one mattress section being projected from the sofa bed frame. In the sofa position wherein the mattress sections are in overlying relationship, cushion seats are placed on the upper mattress section to complete the conversion for use as a sofa.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sofa bed of the aforedescribed type which may be easily and quickly converted between the sofa and bed positions with minimum effort and no obstruction between moving parts or by the surrounding sofa bed frame.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a sofa bed which may incorporate a forwardly projecting backrest with the mattress sections being positioned under the backrest when in retracted position. Included herein is the provision of such a sofa bed wherein the mattress sections may be moved out of the retracted position towards the extended position without obstruction by the backrest despite the nesting relationship of the mattress sections below the backrest.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel linkage for supporting the mattress sections of a sofa bed with respect to the associated sofa bed frame which linkage will carry out the above-noted objects.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such a sofa bed which will achieve the above objects and yet has a relatively compact and lightweight construction that will successfully endure long periods of repeated use.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following more detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is anend view of a sofa bed, with certain I parts shown in phantom and others removed, illustrating a linkage system embodying the invention, when the sofa bed is in the fully retracted sofa position;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but with the linkage in an intermediate position just beyond the fully retracted or sofa position;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but with the linkage in a further intermediate position beyond that shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view taken similarly to those described above but with the linkage in the fully extended or bed position; and

3,389,409 Patented June 25, 1968 ICC FIGURE 5 is a fragmental perspective view of the sofa bed in the fully extended or bed position.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown a sofa bed generally designated 18, embodying the present invention, including a frame having arm rests 12, 14 between which extend a backrest 16. The frame defines space receiving a pair of mattress sections 18, 20 which may be formed of any suitable material such as foam rubber for example. Mattress sections 18, 20 are supported with respect to the sofa bed frame for move ment between a retracted position for use as a sofa as shown in FIGURE 1, and an extended position for use as a bed as shown in FIGURE 4. In the retracted sofa position, mattress sections 18, 20 are in generally overlying and coextensive relationship with the rear sides thereof received under the lower part 17 of the backrest as shown in FIGURE 1. Additionally one or more cushion seats 19 are provided on the upper mattress section 18 as shown in FIGURE 1. In the extended or bed position of the mattress sections, the latter are positioned in coplanar relationship With mattress section 18 projected forwardly from the sofa bed frame.

Mattress sections 18, 20 are interconnected for movement relative to each other between the extended and retracted positions by a pair of parallelogram links 22, 24, hereinafter referred to as mattress links, pivotally connected at their opposite ends by pivots 26, 28 to the ends of the mattress sections, there being two pairs of such mattress links, one on each end of the mattress sections. To effect this connection the opposite ends of mattress sections 18, 20 are suitably provided with an elongated anchoring member or link 30 to which pivots 26, 28 are mounted. Mattress links 22, 24 are of sufficient length to permit the upper or forward mattress section 18 to move over the lower mattress section 20 when moving between the extended and retracted positions. Additionally mattress links 22, 24 are connected to the mattress sections such that they maintain the mattress sections generally in parallel interrelationship throughout movement between the extended and retracted positions.

To support the forward mattress section 18 when it is in the bed position, a front support leg link 32 is pivotally connected at 33 to the upper end of the forward mattress link 22 to be actuated between extended and retracted positions by the forward mattress link 22. Additionally a brace 34 is pivotally connected at one end by pivot 35 to the forward mattress section 18 and its other end, by pivot 37, to an intermediate point on the support leg 32. It will be understood that two support legs 32 are provided one on each end of the mattress sections along with two braces 34 associated therewith respectively.

Mattress sections 18, 20 are supported with respect to the frame by identical linkage systems on the opposite ends thereof, each linkage system including a main support link 40, the lower end of which is pivotally connected with respect to the frame by pivot 42. The opposite end of main support link 40 is pivotally connected by pivot 28 to the adjacent end of rear mattress link 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection of main support link 40 to the frame is effected by an elongated support or anchor link 46 suitably fixed to the arm rest frames and extending at an incline from the front of the sofa upwardly towards the rear thereof; it being understood that each end of the sofa bed has such an anchor link 46.

In moving between the extended and retracted positions, the main support link 40 pivots counterclockwise about its lower or forward pivot 42. In addition to projecting the mattress sections forwardly, this movement of the main support link has the effect. of changing the elevation of the lower mattress section 20 and consequently the upper mattress section, during the movement between the extended and retracted positions. In the extended position of the mattress sections, main support link 40 extends generally vertically upwardly to provide intermediate support for the mattress sections while in the retracted position of the mattress sections, the main support link extends generally horizonally from its pivot 42 towards the rear of the sofa bed as shown in FIG- URE 1.

Lower mattress section 20 is additionally supported with respect to the frame by what will be referred to as an auxiliary support link, generally designated 50, having a generally J-shape including a first portion 52 the end of which is pivoted by pivot pin 54 to the upper end of anchor link 46, a second portion 56 extending at an angle with respect to portion 52 and a third, reentrant portion 58 extending at an angle from portion 56. The latter portion 58 of the auxiliary support link is pivotally connected by pin 59 to the rear end of lower mattress section 20. Auxiliary support link 50 swingably supports from the frame the rear end of lower mattress section 20 so that in moving out of the retracted position or into the retracted position, the mattress section 20 assumes a slanted position as shown in FIGURE 2. This allows the mattress section to swing under backrest .16 and moreover provides smooth and unimpeded movement for retracting or extending the mattress sections.

To aid in moving the mattress sections from the retracted position into the extended position, a tension spring means is provided in the form of a coil spring 60, one end of which is fixed to a short link 62 which in turn is pivotally connected to an upper portion of main support link 40. The other end of spring 60 is fixed to another short link 64 which is pivoted to auxiliary support link 50 at the juncture between the second and third portions 56 and 58 thereof. Spring 60 further has the effect of stabilizing movement of the linkage system during movement of the mattress sections between their opposite extreme positions.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control linkage which acts together with auxiliary link 50 to maintain the mattress sections in overlying and coextensive relationship as they initially move from the retracted position towards the extended position or vice-versa so that in elfect the mattress sections during this phase of movement move together as a unit. This enables the mattress sections to move under backrest 16 without obstruction while minimizing the manual effort necessary to convert the sofa bed. In the shown embodiment this linkage includes a generally L- shaped control link having an arm 70, the upper end of which is pivoted by pin 72 to the lower mattress section 20 generally towards the rear thereof. The other arm 74 of the control link angularly projects from the first arm 70 and is pivotally connected by pin 76 to a second control link 78 which extends generally rectilinearly to the auxiliary support link 50 where it is pivotally connected by pin 80 to the juncture between portions 52 and 56 of the auxiliary support. In the retracted position of the mattress sections, auxiliary link 50 has its portion 52 extending rearwardly of the sofa bed and pivots 59 and 76 of the auxiliary and first control links respectively are positioned in horizontal coaxial relationship, as shown in FIGURE 1.

Control link 70, 74 is also connected to the rear mattress link 24 by an elongated connecting link 81. The rear end of connecting link 81 is pivoted by pin 82 to the juncture between arms 70, 74 while the forward end of connecting link 81 is pivoted by pin 84 to the end portion of mattress link 24 adjacent its pivot 28 to mattress section 20. During movement of mattress sections 18, 20 between the retracted position and the intermediate position shown in FIGURE 2, connecting link 81 through its connection to control links 74, 78 functions to restrain mattress link 24 whereby the mattress sections 18, 20 are maintained in overlying coextensive relationship and 4 move together as a unit. During movement of the mattress sections between the intermediate positions shown in FIGURE 3 and the fully extended position shown in FIGURE 4, the connecting link 81 and control links 70, 74, 78 operate to transmit movement of mattress link 24 to the auxiliary support link to swing the latter.

To briefly review operation of the linkage system, assuming the sofa bed is in the retracted position shown in FIGURE 1 and it is desired to convert the sofa bed for use as a bed. The cushion seats 19 are first removed and the upper mattress section .18 is pulled upwardly in the direction of the arrow in FIGURE 2. A handle such as 19 attached to the front side of the upper mattress section may be provided for this purpose. This initial movement has the effect of swinging auxiliary support link 50 in clockwise direction (as viewed in the drawings) while rotating main support link 40 in the counterclockwise direction. Lower mattress section 20 is thereby swung under backrest 16 into a tilted raised position shown in FIG- URE 2. However the control links 70, 74, 78 acting through connecting link 81 and on rear mattress link 24 restrain the latter to maintain the mattress sections in overlying coextensive position as a unit which thus highly facilitates this initial phase of the conversion.

Continuing, upper mattress section 18 is then pulled forwardly as indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 3. This rotates mattress links 22, 24 in the clockwise direction about pivots 28 to separate the mattress sections with the upper mattress section 18 moving over the lower mattress section 20 while remaining generally parallel to "the latter. Movement of the rear mattress link 24 also pulls connecting link 81 forwardly which in turn acts through the control linkage to further swing auxiliary support link 50 forwardly, clockwise and thus further project in the forward direction both of the mattress sections. During this phase of movement, control link 70 rotates clockwise about pivot 72 and in turn pivots control link 78 counterclockwise to ultimately swing auxiliary support link 50.

Movement of the front mattress link 22 during the second phase of conversion, pivots front support leg 32 conterclockwise into the extended position for supporting the mattress sections as shown in FIGURE 4. The final phase of movement of the mattress sections into the fully extended position shown in FIGURE 4 is facilitated by gravity which brings the forward mattress section downwardly into engagement with the floor. It will be seen that in the fully extended position shown the mattress sections are firmly supported against movement relative to each other and to the frame.

To restore the sofa bed into the sofa position, the front mattress section is raised and pushed forwardly whereupon the linkage will undergo movement in reverse to that described above. Additionally tension spring will aid in the final movement of the mattress sections into the retracted position. While the movement of the mattress sections between the extended and retracted positions has been described above in two phases it should be emphasized that because of the improved linkage of the present invention, the movement of the mattress sections between the extreme positions may be effected substantially in one sweeping motion.

Moreover, other modifications readily apparent from the foregoing description and associated drawings, although not specifically mentioned herein, will nevertheless be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A sofa bed comprising in combination, a frame, a pair of mattress sections, linkage means for supporting said mattress sections for movement between a retracted sofa position wherein said mattress sections are in overlying relationship and an extended bed position wherein said mattress sections are in generally coplanar relationship with one mattress section being projected from the frame, said linkage means being such that when finally moving into orinitially from the retracted position, the mattress sections move together as a unit, said linkage means being such that the mattress sections are in generally coextensive overlying relationship when finally moving into or initially from the retracted position, said mattress sections comprising upper and lower mattress sections when they are in said retracted position, said linkage means including means swingably connecting the lower mattress section with respect to the frame such that the lower mattress section swings finally into or out of the retracted position in generally tilted positions, said frame including a backrest having a lower portion overlying rear portions of the mattress sections when the latter are in the retracted position, said linkage means mounting the mattress sections for swinging movement under the lower portion of the backrest.

2. The sofa bed defined in claim 1 wherein upon initial movement of the mattress sections out of the retracted position toward said extended position, said linkage means maintains the mattress sections in generally coextensive overlying relationship until the mattress sections move beyond the backrest whereupon the linkage means allows the upper mattress section to move over and forwardly with respect to the lower mattress section and ultimately into the extended position.

3. A sofa bed comprising in combination, a frame, a pair of mattress sections, linkage means for supporting said mattress sections for movement between a retracted sofa position wherein said mattress sections are in overlying relationship and an extended bed position wherein said mattress sections are in generally coplanar relationship with one mattress section projected from the frame, said linkage means being such that when finally moving into orinitially from the retracted position, the mattress sections move together as a unit, said linkage means including a number of mattress links pivotally connected at their opposite ends to the mattress sections to support the same for relative movement with respect to each other during movement between the extended and retracted positions, a main support link pivotally connected with respect to the frame and having an upper endportion pivotally connected to a mattress link, an aux1l1ary suppont link pivotally connected to the frame and the mattress section which assumes the lower position when in the retracted position, said auxiliary link swingably mounting said lower mattress section with respect to the frame for movement between the extended and retracted positions, and a linkage connected between the said mattress link and said auxiliary link for initially mamtaining said mattresssections in generally overlying coextensive relationship upon initial movement of said mattress sections from the retracted positions towards said extended position.

4. The sofa bed defined in claim 3 wherein said last recited linkage includes a connecting link having one end pivotally connected to said mattress link, a first control link pivotally connected at one end to said lower mattress section and at an intermediate point to the other end of said connecting link, the other end of said first control link being pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of said auxiliary support link.

5. The sofa bed defined in claim 4 further including a second control link which is pivotally connected at its opposite ends to said other end of said first control link and to said intermediate point on the auxiliary support link.

6. The sofa bed defined in claim 5 wherein said first control link is generally L-shaped and said auxiliary link is generally J-shaped.

7. The sofa bed defined in claim 6 wherein said auxiliary support link includes a first generally straight portion extending from its pivotal connection to the frame, a second portion projecting at an angle from said first portion and a third portion projecting at an angle from said second portion in the general direction toward the first portion.

8. The sofa bed defined in claim 7 wherein the end of said third portion of said auxiliary link is pivoted to the lower mattress section, said intermediate point on said auxiliary link to which is pivoted the second control link is situated between said first and second portions of said auxiliary link.

9. The sofa bed defined in claim 8 wherein said first control link has two portions at an angle to each other and wherein said connecting link is pivoted to the first control link at the juncture of said first and second portions of said control link.

10. The sofa bed defined in claim 5 wherein the pivot point between said first and second control links and the pivot point of the auxiliary link to the lower mattress section are in horizontal coaxial alignment when the mattress sections are in the retracted position.

11. The sofa bed defined in claim 3 wherein there is provided tension spring means between the main support link and said auxiliary support link.

12. The sofa bed defined in claim 9 further including a tension spring means connected between the juncture of the second and third portions of the auxiliary support link and an upper portion of the main support link.

13. The sofa bed defined in claim 4 wherein the pivotal connecting of the auxiliary support link to the frame is at a higher elevation than the pivotal connection of the main support link to the frame.

14. For use in a sofa bed including a pair of mattress sections and a linkage means for supporting the mattress sections for movement between a first retracted position wherein the mattress sections are in generally overlying and coextensive relationship and a second extended position wherein the mattress sections are in generally coplanar relationship, said linkage means including a number of mattress links pivotally interconnecting said mattress sections and a main support link pivotally connected at one end to one of the mattress links and at its other end to the frame of the sofa bed; a second linkage means for swingably supporting the lower mattress section with respect to the frame and for maintaining the mattress sections in generally overlying coextensive relationship during initial movement of the mattress sections from said retracted position towards the extended position, said second linkage means including an auxiliary support link having one end adapted to be pivotally connected to the frame of the sofa bed and an opposite end adapted to be pivotably connected to the lower mattress section of the sofa bed, a control link having one end adapted to be pivotally connected to the lower mattress section, a second control link having one end pivotally connected to an intermediate point of said auxiliary support link and having another end connected to the other end of said first control link, and a connecting link having one end pivotally connected to an intermediate point on said first control link and having another end adapted to be pivotally connected to one of the mattress links in the sofa bed.

15. The linkage defined in claim 14 wherein said auxiliary shaped link has a generally J -shape and wherein said first control link has a generally L-shape and wherein said second control link is generally rectilinear in shape.

16. The linkage defined in claim 15 wherein said auxiliary link has a first portion projecting generally rectilinearly, a second portion projecting at an angle with respect to the first portion and a third portion projecting at an angle from said second portion in the general direction toward said first portion, said second control link. being pivoted to the auxiliary link at the juncture between the first and second portions of the auxiliary link, and wherein said first control link has first and second portions extending at an angle to each other, said connecting link being connected to the first control link at the juncture between the first and second portions of the first control link.

17. The linkage defined in claim 16 further including a spring means having one end connected to the auxiliary link at the juncture between the second and third portions of the auxiliary link and having an opposite end adapted to be connected to the main support link of the sofa bed.

18. A sofa bed comprising in combination, a frame, a pair of mattress sections, linkage means for supporting said mattress sections for movement between a retracted sofa position wherein said mattress sections are in overlying relationship and an extended bed position wherein said mattress sections are in generally side by side relationship with one mattress section being projected from the frame, said linkage means including a main support link pivotally connected with respect to the frame and also pivotally connected with respect to the other mattress section, a pair of mattress links having their opposite ends pivotally connected to said mattress sections in generally parallel relationship, an auxiliary link having one end pivotally connected with respect to the frame and having an opposite portion pivotally connected with respect to the other mattress section, and control linkage means pivotally connected between said auxiliary link and one of said mattress links.

19. The sofa bed defined in claim 18 wherein said mattress links are situated forwardly and rearwardly respectively relative to the mattress sections, and wherein said control linkage means is connected to the rearwardly disposed mattress link.

20. The sofa bed defined in claim 19 wherein said main support link is pivotally connected to the rearwardly disposed mattress link.

21. For use in a sofa bed including a frame and a pair of mattress sections movable relative to the frame between fully retracted positions wherein the mattress sections are in overlying generally coextensive relationship and extended positions wherein the mattress sections are generally in side by side coplanar relationship with one mattress section projected forwardly of the other mattress section; a linkage system including a mattress link having opposite ends adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to the mattress sections respectively, a main support link adapted to be pivotally connected at one portion with respect to the frame and at another spaced portion with respect to a mattress section, an auxiliary support link having an end portion adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to the frame and an opposite end portion adapted to be pivotally connected to said other mattress section, and control linkage means pivotally connected at one end portion to said auxiliary support link and having an opposite end portion pivotally connected to the mattress link.

22. The linkage defined in claim 21 wherein said main support link is pivotally connected to said mattress link.

23. The linkage defined in claim 22 wherein there is further provided a second mattress link having opposite end portions adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to the mattress sections forwardly of and in generally parallel relationship to said first defined mattress link.

24. A sofa bed comprising in combination, a frame including opposite sides and a backrest position between the sides and having 'a lower portion projecting forwardly of the frame and defining a space below the backrest, pair of mattress sections, linkage means for supporting said mattress sections for movement between a retracted sofa position wherein said mattress sections are in overlying relationship with rear portions thereof positioned below the backrest and an extended bed position wherein said mattress sections are removed from below the backrest and are in side by side relationship with one mattress section projected forwardly from the frame, said linkage means including means operatively connected between said frame and one of the mattress sections for swinging the mattress sections at an angle to the horizontal into or out of the space below the backrest.

25. The sofa bed defined in claim 24 wherein said last recited means includes a link having a first portion pivotally connected to the frame and an opposite portion pivotally connected to a rear portion of the mattress section that is positioned lowermost when in the fully retracted position.

26. A sofa bed comprising in combination, a frame, a pair of mattress sections, linkage means for supporting said mattress sections for movement between a retracted sofa position wherein said mattress sections are in generally overlying relationship and an extended bed position wherein said mattress sections are in generally coplanar relationship with one mattress section projected from the frame, and linkage means for maintaining said mattress sections substantially together in generally overlying relationship as the mattress sections initially move out of the retracted position towards the extended position.

27. The sofa bed defined in claim 26 wherein said mattress sections forms upper and lower mattress sections when in the retracted position and wherein there is further included linkage means swingably connecting the rear of the lower mattress section with respect to the frame such that the lower mattress section swings downwardly and forwardly relative to the frame when initially moving out of the retracted position towards the extended position.

28. The sofa bed defined in claim 27 wherein said last recited linkage means includes an auxiliary link having one end pivotally connected with respect to the frame-and an opposite portion pivotally connected with respect to the rear of the lower mattress section, and wherein saidcontrol linkage is interconnected between said auxiliary link and said first recited linkage means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,903,045 9/1959 Viall 297- X FOREIGN PATENTS 321,454 6/1957 Switzerland.

CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner. 

